These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'homicide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of homicide

History and Etymology for homicide

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin homicida, from homo human being + -cida -cide; in sense 2, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin homicidium, from homo + -cidium -cide

Legal Definition of homicide

: homicide committed by a person with a criminal state of mind (as intentionally, with premeditation, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence)

—deliberate homicide

: homicide caused purposely and knowingly
—used in Montana

—excusable homicide

: homicide that is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act by lawful means with usual and ordinary caution and without any unlawful intent and that is excused under the lawalso: justifiable homicide in this entry

—felonious homicide

: homicide committed without justification

—homicide by misadventure

: homicide that occurs as the result of an accident caused by a person doing a lawful act with no unlawful intent

—justifiable homicide

: homicide that is committed in self-defense, in defense of another and especially a member of one's family or sometimes in defense of a residence, in preventing a felony especially involving great bodily harm, or in performing a legal duty and that is justified under the lawalso: excusable homicide in this entry

—negligent homicide

: homicide caused by a person's criminally negligent act

—reckless homicide

: homicide caused by a person's reckless acts

Note:
In Illinois, involuntary manslaughter committed by use of a motor vehicle is called reckless homicide.

—vehicular homicide\vē-​ˈhi-​kyə-​lər-​\

: homicide committed by the use of a vehicle (as an automobile or boat)